Is influence the catalyst for a good society?

Influence...this generally implies the power to affect, change or control someone or something. Well, people are influenced by many sources like, parents, family, teachers, friends, strangers, and these days technological media devices like television, mobiles, etc. These factors are the primary reason which help a person to live in this world.

Let's come from the depths of history, like, right during the Indus Valley civilization. People there were simple. They had their own life, lived peacefully on their terms, but by around 1000BC, they grew relations with foreigners like mesapotamians, Egyptians, etc. This influenced their livelihoods and enhanced their trade, commerce, social lifestyle, etc. But the people also learnt about weapons, warfare, etc too. It is believed that when the Aryans invaded the Indus Valley in 1300BC, they fought back too. Sharpened tools were found. 

Now, next was the vedic civilization, founded by the Aryans. Here, people learnt to live in a civilized manner. They developed agriculture, socio-political and economic system, etc. Then later, kings came, wars were fought for land, water and other resources. It was all the same till the end of Mughals. 

Then, foreigners first stepped foot as travellers...from Megasthanes to Capt. Thomas, they gradually came and took over our nation. We fought back. And we won finally. 

Now, you may have a doubt that why I discussed all this. Lemme tell you something. Wars, plunders, ransacking was never something which came directly to the thought. This idea was given. The kings were influenced in their administration. If they had an idea to share resources, the world would've had a totally different outlook by now. But no! People want to occupy territories, fight, win, loot, and rule. 

Emotions like pride, greed, anger, desire are never the seeds of one's heart. They come from the mind or from another person's speech or actions. 

Now, in the current scenario, like after independence and the advancement of technology and people's living standards, the influence on the forthcoming generations is too distinctive. Let's take the context of children. Since many centuries, children were obedient, obeyed their parents, had a lot of dedication in pursuing their goals, etc. But as the generations grew, all of this started declining in the minds of the children.

When parents, teachers and relatives try to mould their children into good citizens, they try hard to stick in that mould, no matter what. But there are some scenarios, where children, as teens are being wrongly influenced. 

See, the previous generation's lifestyle (1990s times) where they were very strict, regarded engineers and doctors to be the best occupations,  forced their children to fit in a mould, etc. was in vogue at that time. But even now, they influence their children against their dreams and goals and make them something they're not. Unlike those times, now there are thousands of job opportunities open. You can be a singer, actor, dancer, YouTuber, Gamer, anything. And teens, especially, need to be gradually allowed to be let out into the world and know how to face it. 

Let's shift our attention to the contemporary society. Teens are being wrongly influenced by electronic mass media, misuse of mobile gadgets, etc. I can surely say that due to misusing of these gadgets, teens are becoming more and more spoilt. Many of them are addicted to cigarettes, drugs, alcohol, gadgets, etc...

These habits are rubbed onto teens' minds either through their friends and known acquaintances or through social media like movies, social platforms, etc. 

When we arrive to the Indian context, we see countless examples. There are teens who hail from prestigious schools and colleges and they hold online discussions regarding women, drugs, transportation of alcoholic beverages and cigarettes among themselves, trapping girls, etc. Such things are not a rare news in our country and I feel ashamed to say this fact. 

When we come to finding the answer to the main question with which we started, is influence, a catalyst for a good society? Well, honestly, I got no definite answer. But, I personally feel that, when elders or friends teach someone something, they should be aware as to which trait they should receive and which one they shouldn't. It's just like 'filtering' whatever comes to you and taking most of the good ones only. This helps in finding the answer to the question aforementioned...

So, please guys, be aware, be smart and be responsible of your thoughts and actions...

Hope this helped you in any way...:)

*(Idea by my sister and the author of " the writer's desk")...💚